Rachel Goldman Miller is a child Holocaust survivor. Her immediate family members were all murdered. Only a few distant cousins survived. Rachel’s childhood was spent learning to live without adequate food, clothing or essential items.

It was fate when she met Carol Hellman (z’l’). Carol was a volunteer for Sor-El, a group of individuals who volunteer 3 weeks at a time to help do small jobs to help the IDF soldiers. Rachel was on a mission trip to Israel when she met up with Carol and Carol mentioned the need for toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and other items. It was right there that the vision for Shaving Israel was conceived.

Rachel came back to St. Louis and told Joel Levy about her idea to raise funds for IDF soldiers that needed the same items she needed during the Holocaust. Joel did all the legwork needed to form a 501(c)(3).

In 2004, a Board of Directors was formed with Joel as President. Carol wrote the mission statement and Rachel committed to using 100% of funds raised going to the soldiers. Rachel continues to talk to groups of people around the world about the Holocaust and how she survived. Shaving Israel is also one of the ways she can give back and help others in need.